Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

Which component is NOT typically part of a report?

1. Introduction

2. Body

3. Conclusion

4. Appendix

The correct answer is: Introduction

While the introduction is often a standard component of many reports, it is important to recognize that there are various types of reports that may not necessarily follow this conventional structure. Reports can be structured differently based on their purpose and audience, especially in situations where a brief overview or summary is more relevant than a detailed introduction. For example, some technical reports or progress updates may jump directly into the body of the report without an explicit introductory section, as the context may already be understood by the intended audience. In contrast, the body, conclusion, and appendix are generally more commonly accepted components in a wide range of report formats. The body presents the main content, the conclusion summarizes the findings, and the appendix provides additional information or supplementary material that supports the main text. Understanding the variability in report structures can help clarify why the introduction might not always be considered a necessary component.